business newsmakers

Sunday

Nov 30, 2008 at 12:01 AM

FAIRHAVEN — Allen Patenaude recently opened his own business, The Dawgfather — Pet Sitting Plus, and has been accepted for membership in Pet Sitters International (PSI), an organization of nearly 8,000 professional pet-sitting services throughtout the United States, Canada and abroad. Founded in 1994, PSI is an educational and trade association for the growing industry of pet sitting.

FAIRHAVEN — Allen Patenaude recently opened his own business, The Dawgfather — Pet Sitting Plus, and has been accepted for membership in Pet Sitters International (PSI), an organization of nearly 8,000 professional pet-sitting services throughtout the United States, Canada and abroad. Founded in 1994, PSI is an educational and trade association for the growing industry of pet sitting.

Professional pet sitting is an important segment of the pet industry, Patenaude said, offering in-home care of pets while their owners are away. Pet sitters can also provide important "gatekeeping" services to clients such as taking in the mail and newspapers. Pet sitting can be an alternative to temporarily boarding pets that is more convenient for pet owners and more comfortable for pets, Patenaude said.

PSI offers educational programs, networking opportunities, product information, client referral and many other services to members and their 500,000 customers. PSI president Patti Moran noted, "Pet sitters are trusted caregivers. According to a 2008 State of the Industry Survey, pet owners rely on their pet sitters during vacations and business trips, for midday dog walks, puppy training, geriatric care, transportation to vet clinics and groomers and peace of mind that comes with engaging the services of a pet-care professional"

Patenaude, a pet owner himself, will care for your pets and provide clients with peace of mind while they are away. The service is available throughout Bristol County as well as Mattapoisett and Marion. Call (508) 999-4282 for an appointment or more information.

q

TAUNTON — Patti Serpa, quality assurance technician for Saint-Gobain Performance Plastics, has been selected as one of five employees to win the Saint-Gobain "Volunteer Recognition Award."

The award recognizes employees of Saint-Gobain whose volunteer efforts are clearly extraordinary and encourages employees and retirees to help improve their communities through volunteerism. While extending recognition to employees, the award also includes a $1,000 contribution to each of the organizations the employees serve.

Serpa won the award for her 14-year involvement with the Association of Individuals Dedicated and Sincere Incorporated (A.I.D.S., Inc.), a non-profit volunteer organization that provides emergency financial assistance to individuals living with HIV/AIDS in the New Bedford/Fall River area. She is currently secretary of the organization.

Serpa received a $1,000 check from Saint-Gobain which has been presented to A.I.D.S., Inc. A resident of Fairhaven, Serpa joined Saint-Gobain Performance in 2007.

Friendly's chain of family restaurants is taking proactive steps and setting an example for the restaurant industry by officially banning artificial trans fat from their menu.

"We are very excited to announce this new action and offer an artificial trans fat free menu to our customers," said Maura Tobias, director of public affairs and communications for Friendly's Restaurants. "We believe the local community will support the decision, as it demonstrates our dedication to providing the very best food for our customers.

For more information, please contact one of the following Friendly's restaurants: Friendly's in East Wareham, at 2895-A Cranberry Highway, RFD, Frendly's in Fairhaven, 6 Sarahs Way, Friendly's in Fall River, 135 Marianno Bishop Blvd., Friendly's in North Dartmouth, 307 State Road, or Friendly's in South Dartmouth, 631 South Dartmouth St.

o

NEW BEDFORD — Whelan Associates, LLC has announced that there will be a ribbon-cutting ceremony and grand opening held for their newest Class A medical office building, Two Washington Place. The event, hosted by Whelan Associates, Brockton Urology and South Shore Dermatology Physicians, is scheduled for Dec. 10 at 4:30 p.m.

The ceremony will kick off the official opening of Two Washington Place. The 42,000-square-foot building, located off of Route 138 in Easton, is the second in the Washington Place development.

o

LAKEVILLE — "The Broken Tee Virtual Golf Club" will bring year round golf to the area with its three state-of-the-art golf simulators. Indoor virtual golf is also a great stress free way for a beginner to perfect his or her game without the pressure sometimes found on the real course.

"The Broken Tee Virtual Golf Club" will offer 38 different courses to choose from, including Pebble Beach and St. Andrews. The simulators provide a true and virtually seamless ball flight projected upon the 9' x 12' hitting screen.

A free open house is scheduled for Dec. 12 from 12-8 p.m. You can try your hand at longest drive on their virtual driving range, as well as closest to the pin on one of Pebble Beach's famous par threes. There will also be drawings for tickets to see 2 of New England's favorite sports teams in 2009. Gift certificates will also be available just in time for the holidays.

As an added attraction for the open house, professional long driver, Eric Lastowka will be on hand from 5-8 p.m. He will put on a long drive demonstration, which includes some long drive tips and trick shots from 6:30-7. Local professional Tom Rooney will also be on site from 5-8 p.m challenging all comers to a closest to the pin contest.

"The Broken Tee" is located at 166 County Road, at the corner of Freetown Street in Lakeville. Check them out at www.thebrokentee.com to see rates and hours of operation, or call for tee times at 508-923-GOLF. Full tee times will begin Dec. 13.

o

NEW BEDFORD — The Traffic Commission has announced a small gift for this year's downtown holiday shoppers - two hours of free parking at all metered spaces. Only motorists who exceed the two-hour limit will be ticketed.

The regulations are intended to encourage holiday shopping in the city while at the same time preventing all-day parking in spaces intended for shoppers. They will be in effect between Nov. 28 and Jan. 1.

Shoppers who believe they have been ticketed unfairly can appeal by showing they have made a purchase of $10 or more at a downtown business. Ticket and receipt can be dropped off at the Parking Office in the Elm St. Garage or mailed to the address shown on the ticket.

FAIRHAVEN —Fairhaven Lumber LLC, 120 Alden Road announces the appointment of 3 new positions in the company. Michael Martinez, the company's inside sales manager, has been promoted to director of sales for the company. He will be responsible for coordinating the efforts of the sales team, both inside and outside, to insure that customer deliveries, quotations and special requests are handled accurately and in a timely manner. He resides in Marion.

The company also welcomes two new and experienced sales team members. Don Gurney, and Ms. Claudette Bernier, both formerly of Beacon Lumber, have recently been added to the sales team. Each has more than 30 years experience in the business. Mr. Gurney can be reached at the inside sales desk and welcomes his former friends and customers to call or visit. He resides in Freetown. Claudette, our new outside sales representative, will be calling on customers at the jobsite. She resides in Acushnet.

Fairhaven Lumber LLC is a retail building supply company, helping building professionals and homeowners for over 55 years. Material estimates, energy audits and a full kitchen cabinet/countertop department are also additional services provided.

o

NEW BEDFORD — Whaler's Cove, the 120-unit assisted living facility on New Bedford's historic Riverside Avenue, has joined the corporate sponsorship roster for Your Theatre, Inc.

Whaler's Cove earned YTI corporate sponsorship status through its donation of a collection of high-quality, previously used upholstered chairs from its formal dining room.

The chairs now provide seating for attendees at all performances in Your Theatre's auditorium at Saint Martin's Episcopal Church, 136 Rivet St. at County Street.

In announcing the gift, Maureen M. Costa, executive director of Whaler's Cove Assisted Living, said "We all should look to whom we can support in our local neighborhoods, especially during these trying economic times. Historically, the arts are always the first to feel the effects of economic downturns. The theater reminds us that we must look to enjoy every day and benefit from all of their gifts."

Accepting the donation, YTI President Peter Vercellone said "We are thrilled that Whaler's Cove, which shares our commitment to community service, has selected Your Theatre for this generous donation. Without that help, our budget would preclude such a welcomed improvement to the facility that houses the hard work of our all-volunteer play producers and the audiences who enjoy that work."

o

WASHINGTON — Sandy K. Baruah, acting administrator of the U.S. small Business Administration, today announced the appointment of Jeffrey R. Andrade, a New Bedford native, a seasoned public policy official, as associate administrator for the SBA's Office of Entrepreneurial Development.

Andrade will manage the SBA's resource partners and business development programs that provide training, counseling and technical assistance to the nation's small business owners. The programs within OED's network include the Women's Business Centers, Small Business Development Centers, Entrepreneurship Education, SCORE and the Small Business Training Network.

Before his appointment, Andrade served as the executive vice president for the Miami-based firm U.S. Education Finance Group, where he managed industry and government relations. In addition to running a small business for seven years, Andrade also worked on three presidential transition teams for the Department of Education.

Andrade holds a bachelor of science degree in political science from American University in Washington, D.C. He was born in New Bedford and grew up in nearby East Freetown. He and his wife reside Anne Arundel County, Md.

o

The Council for Resource Development (CRD) honored Robert F. Stoico of The Robert F. Stoico/FIRSTFED Charitable Foundation at its 42nd annual conference held in Washington DC Nov. 7. Mr. Stoico was the Region I recipient of the 2008 Benefactor Award, honored for his commitment to making quality education accessible to all populations in his community.

The Robert F. Stoico/FIRDTFED Charitable Foundation recently made a donation of $1 million to Bristol Community College. $250,000 will be reserved exclusively for student scholarships. This gift, given over five years, will support Bristol Community College's mission to provide educational opportunities of the highest quality to the region. This is Bristol Community College's largest one-time gift, and it comes from an organization that has a long history of support for the College.

Mr. Stoico also has funded the College's Head Start to College program with a $60,000 donation, supported the Library with a $50,000 grant, and sponsored the Community Computing Center with a grant of $37,900 in order to provide the latest technology to educate, train and retrain a viable workforce. Mr. Stoico was a major contributor to the Art Gallery campaign with a gift of $60,000. Mr. Stocio provided ongoing support for outreach to the Mayan and Hispanic communities in New Bedford with a grant of $180,000 and he has endowed a student scholarship in excess of $50,000.

o

WESTPORT — George Benoit Jr. has joined the professional staff of the Legacy Financial Group LLC, a general agency of Massachusetts Mutual Life Insurance Company (MassMutual), as a district manager.

"MassMutual has given me the opportunity to build an organization in my hometown of Westport to help families and individuals take care of their financial goals" says George.

As a district manager at the Legacy Financial Group, George is responsible for recruiting, training and developing new representatives. George is a member of NAIFA. George and his wife, Robin, are the parents of Angelique, Gabriellle, and Matthew ages 16, 8, and 19 and live in Westport for over 20 years.

The Legacy Financial Group is located at 133 State Road, Westport, Ma and offers Life, Annuity, Disability, and Long Term Care to clients in Southeastern Ma.

o

NEW BEDFORD — Alphagraphics, 827 Rockdale Ave., will be collecting canned and non-perishable food items to be distributed to local food pantries. Items may be dropped off Mon-Fri 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. through the holiday season.

As a thank you, all donors will receive a $5.00 coupon toward any Alphagraphics purchase.

Never miss a story

Choose the plan that's right for you.
Digital access or digital and print delivery.